DOHA: The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) is drafting a code of conduct for advertising through mobile phones in a bid to protect customers from spam messages.
The code will provide a framework to ensure that marketing and advertising activities through mobile phones are carried out in a way that complies with the legal, regulatory and social obligations of the senders, CRA said yesterday.
The code will also protect consumer’s right to receive or stop receiving any information whenever they want to through a simple process. CRA said in a statement that it is “monitoring reports in local press and social media about telecom consumers receiving scam or spam messages on their mobile phones. CRA has also received complaints on this issue.”
These unwanted messages fall into two categories: Messages received through the short messaging service or SMS; messages received through over-the-top (OTT) applications such as WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, etc.
CRA said it is working with the service providers to address these two categories. Until stringent measures are in place, it has advised telecom consumers in Qatar to take the following measures.
As for SMS, both Ooredoo and Vodafone have mechanisms and processes in place to block specific numbers for individuals, or for all consumers in Qatar if the same number is found to send spam message to multiple consumers.
Ooredoo has in place a Fraud Management System as well as Customer Care Management System to investigate all complaints related to spam, scam and premium services. Ooredoo customers who receive spam and scam messages can:
— Stop spamming messages by texting “Unsub ServiceName” to 92600 or if you want to stop all bulk SMS senders, just send “Unsub all” to 92600.
— Block an unknown or spamming sender via Ooredoo’s
mobile app.
— Block an unknown or spamming sender via Ooredoo helpline 111 or website.
— Report cases via social media channels – Facebook and Twitter.
Vodafone customers who receive spam and scam messages can blcok an unknown or spamming sender via Vodafone helpline 111 and website. They can also report cases via social media channels – Facebook and Twitter.Most of the OTT applications allow users to report and block unwanted senders. Those who needs assistance in how to use the app may contact their service provider through their customer service hotline. If they continue to receive messages from unknown numbers through the OTT applications, they may contact their service provider to block that number.
“Most of the consumer complaints received by the CRA are about related premium services, consumer’s inability to unsubscribe, spam and scam, etc. CRA investigates these complaints and works with service providers to resolve them in keeping with The Telecommunications Law and, By-Law, as well as the Consumer Protection Policy and the Advertising Code,” said the statement. CRA said it is now exploring additional mechanisms and regulatory enforcements that will further clarify the use of telecom services.
The Peninsula
The Peninsula
